‘Very fancy collection’: Is this Robert Irwin’s side hustle?

Robert Irwin, newly announced as the co-host of Australia’s I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here, appears to have sold several bicycles in preparation for his trip to Africa.

Anyone searching for bargains on Facebook Marketplace may have stumbled across the high-end bicycles in Irwin’s “private collection” up for sale in Queensland through an account in another name.

The seven listings featured photographs of Irwin, son of the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, holding each bike along with a certificate of authenticity supposedly signed by the 19-year-old himself.

Robert Irwin appears to be selling off his private collection of bikes on Facebook Marketplace. Credit: Facebook

In a direct message, the owner of the Facebook Marketplace account, “Simon Sells”, claimed to work for Australia Zoo and told this masthead the items were indeed owned by Irwin and had been selling “reasonably” quickly.

Bli Bli resident Janelle Young jumped at the opportunity to own one of Irwin’s old bikes and said the ads were “definitely legit”.

Young went with her husband to pick up a Merida e-bike from Australia Zoo where they met Simon out the back.

The e-bike that was purchased by Janelle Young, complete with a physical copy of the authenticity certificate. Credit: Facebook

“Robert wasn’t riding the bikes any more, so he asked Simon to sell them for him,” Young said.

The couple were given the certificate of authenicity shown in the post and transferred money to an account seemingly linked to Irwin.

Australia Zoo’s media department declined to comment on the second-hand sales operating from the tourist mecca due to “ongoing operational requirements and conservation commitments”.

Young said it was “a bit of a novelty” to own Irwin’s old bike and something she could mention if she ever sold it.

“He had a very fancy collection, lots of very expensive, high-quality bikes he was selling,” Young said.

Janelle Young with her new Merida electric bike. Credit: Janelle Young

“The one we got was a $10,000 bike that had only done 300 kilometres and I ended up getting for $3000, which was a great deal.”

Young had a previous encounter with Irwin when he and members of the Australia Zoo Wildlife Rescue Unit visited her house last year to rescue a possum from the fireplace.

Robert Irwin will join Julia Morris in the jungle for I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here in early 2024.Credit: Network 10

“It was pretty cool to meet Robert and see him in action,” she said.

The conservationist and avid photographer was hospitalised back in 2020 after separating his shoulder in a “massive crash” on one of his mountain bikes.

Irwin often shares elements of his life on Instagram including his relationship with Rorie Buckley, Heath Ledger’s niece, and adventures with his khaki-clad family.

The Wildlife Warrior appeared on The Project alongside his new co-host Julia Morris on Tuesday night where he revealed that wildlife meat would no longer be used in the show’s production.

“This is one of the reasons I was so excited to join the show,” Irwin said.

“My mum and my whole family are coming with me to Africa, it’s gonna be wonderful. This is the greatest dream come true ever.”